Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
www.elixircafe.co.nz
;
117 Devon St E; brunch $8-18, dinner $18-31; 7am-4.30pm Mon, 7am-late Tue-Sat,
8am-4pm Sun)
Behind a weird louvered wall facing onto Devon St, Elixir fosters an
American-diner vibe, serving up everything from coffee, cake, bagels and eggs on toast,
through to more innovative evening fare. Below a wall of rock posters, sexy staff give the
coffee machine a serious work-out.
Bach on Breakwater
( 06-769 6967;
www.bachonbreakwater.co.nz
;
Ocean View Pde; brunch $11-24, dinner $27-38; 9.30am-10pm
Wed-Sun; )
Constructed from weighty recycled timbers, this cool cafe-bistro in the emer-
ging Breakwater Bay precinct looks like an old sea chest washed up after a storm. Expect
plenty of seafood and steak, sunny outdoor tables and killer coffee. The seafood chowder
is a real winter warmer. Lots of gluten-free and vegetarian options.
CAFE, RESTAURANT
$$
Frederic's
MAP
TAPAS
$$
GOOGLE MAP
(
www.frederics.co.nz
;
34 Egmont St; plates $12-19, mains $18-25; 11am-late)
Freddy's is a fab gastro-bar
with quirky interior design (rusty medieval chandeliers, peacock-feather wallpaper, reli-
gious icon paintings), serving generous share plates. Order some lemon-crusted calamari,
or green-lipped mussels with coconut cream, chilli and coriander to go with your Mon-
teith's pale ale.
Portofino
( 06-757 8686;
www.portofino.co.nz
;
14 Gill St; mains $20-49; 5pm-late Tue-Sun)
This discreet little
family-run eatery has been here for years, serving old-fashioned Italian pasta and pizza
just like nonna used to make. The rigatoni Portofino is a knockout (spinach, feta, garlic
and sun-dried tomatoes).
ITALIAN
$$
Laughing Buddha
MAP
CHINESE
$$
GOOGLE MAP
(
06-759 2065;
www.facebook.com/laughingbuddha2009
; cnr Devon St E & Currie St; mains $12-19;
dinner
Tue-Sat)
Red-glowing windows and a rather menacing-looking Buddha sign suggest
'nightclub'…but a wander upstairs delivers you instead to New Plymouth's best Chinese
restaurant. Load up on entree plates ($4 to $8; try the pork buns), or order a steaming
main course (the sliced beef with cumin and chilli is magic). Great for groups.
